Ralph Crawford Brosn

Ralph Crawford Brown

May 31, 1941 - August 13, 2025

Ralph Crawford Brown was born on May 31, 1941 to Ralph Azariah Brown and Marva Crawford Brown in Provo, UT. He was one of six children and loved growing up in the chaos of a big family. He fondly recalled the mischief and adventures he had with his siblings growing up on their family farm. He especially loved their time on a little family farm in Blanding, Utah.

From his very earliest memories, Crawford was drawn to figuring out how things worked and creating his own solutions to problems. He was always happy to spend hours and hours tinkering, constructing, digging and inventing. Crawford was a gifted woodworker who could whittle like a pro! A natural inventor, he taught all of his children how to tackle any project themselves. He leaves behind a legacy of self reliance, inventiveness, hard work and independence.

Crawford was called to serve a Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the Northern States Mission where he spent countless hours helping to construct the meeting house in Bloomington, Illinois. Many years later, his son, Daniel, would live in Bloomington and attend church in that very meetinghouse. The old timers in the ward remembered Elder Brown with great fondness. They spoke of his gentle nature, strong work ethic, and remarkable building knowledge and skill for one so young.

After his mission, Crawford was drafted into the United States Marine Corps and sent off to fight in Vietnam. He never spoke much about his time in Vietnam. When he did share, it was to tell stories about building a bicycle powered washing machine for his unit and playing with the local children. He grew to love them and found peace during war by helping, serving, and playing with the local villagers. While in Vietnam, he had the chance to become a radio operator, even serving as the company clerk for some time. He would go on to become an amateur radio operator.

When he returned from his time in Vietnam, he enrolled at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, where he would earn a degree in Electronics Engineering Technology. While at BYU, Crawford met Linda Rosier, a beautician at a local salon. They began dating and married in 1968. Together they would have ten children.After they divorced, Crawford moved to Provo where he worked various jobs as an electrician. A gifted musician, Crawford saw the value in learning to play an instrument and paid for his younger children to have music lessons. He enjoyed creating arrangements and writing original music for his local ward choir to perform. He loved to sing and played the mandolin and the harmonica with great skill. This gift for music lives on in many of his children and grandchildren.

In 2011 Crawford met and married Margaret Quick. They would remain together until her passing in 2024. Crawford loved being married to Margaret and grew to love her children and grandchildren as well. The two spent their summers in Portage, Utah, and their winters in Yuma, Arizona. Together they raised rabbits and alpacas and enjoyed life. 

One memorable summer they rented yurts at Bear Lake and hosted a family reunion for Crawford’s family. Everyone had a wonderful time playing and visiting. Crawford worked hard to establish a relationship with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Though the mistakes of the past stood between them, Crawford never wavered in his determination to do what he could to build strong family bonds.

Crawford was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter Eve, and his wife, Margaret. He is survived by his children Jared (Jackie) Brown, Ammon (Sarah) Brown, Rebecca (Tom) Lower, Enoch Brown, Daniel (Tawna) Brown, Joseph (Jilaine) Brown, Abigail (Micheal) Davidson, Ruth (Stephen) Henderson, David (Krystal) Brown, 39 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, all of his siblings, and a step family he loved.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 6, 2025, at 10:30 am, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Later-Day Saints, 8910 W. 25800 N., Portage, UT.